Improvement in the manufacture of zinc from the dross in galvanizing iron



2 Sheets--Sheet 1..

L. deMETZ.

Zinc from Dross in Galvanizing Iron.

No.123,461. PatentedFeb.6,1a72.

2 Sheets--Sheet 2.

L. de METZ.

Zlinc from Dross in Galvanizing Iron.

910.123.461. Patented Feb.e,1a72.

LEONCE DE METZ, OF ELTZABETIL, NEW JERSEY.

IMPROVEMENT IN THE MANUFACTURE OF ZINC FROM THE DROSS IN GALVANIZING IRON.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 123,461, dated February 6, 1872 antedated February 3, 1872.

I, LoNoE DEMETZ, of the city of Elizabeth, in the county of Union and State of New Jersey, have invented an Improved Process for Utilizing the Dross Proceeding from the Galvanizing of Iron, of which the following is a specification:

Nature tml Objects of the Intention.

The dross or refuse ot' zinc left after the iron has been galvanized is generally put up in slabs while yet hot, these slabs running in Weight from eighty to 011e hundred and tifty pounds. My invention has for its object the utilization of this dross by producing therefrom extremely line and highly merchantable Zinc, which end is gained bya process of smelting and distillation by means of a combination of smelting-furnaces, retorts, condensers, Sto.

Description of thc Accompanying Drawing.

Figure lis a smelting-furnace in perspective. Fig. 2 is a vertical section of the same. Fig. 3 is a double-retort furnace with condensers at the back. Fig. et is avertical section, showing the position ofthe retort in the retort-furnace, and also the position of the condenser and its connection with the retort by means of the bevel-pipe. Figs. 5 and 6 are different views of the condenser with bevel-pipe attached. Fig. 7 is a bevel-pipe detached. Figs. 8 and 9 are different forms of mouthpieces to be used in lling retorts with the molten liquid from the smelting-i'urnace. Fig. l0is a vertical section ofthe mouth-piece shown in Fig. 8. Fig. ll is the iron jacket which surrounds the condenser.

General Description.

In Figs. l and 2, A is the smelting-'urnace, with the grate-bars a (t, ash-pit b, and kettles B B, in which the dross is liqueed by subjecting it to a heat of about 8000 Fahrenheit. c, Fig. 2, is a flue by which the unconsumed products of combustion are conveyed from the res to the chimney d. Then the dross is entirely liquid or huid, it is conveyed, by means of iron ladles or crucibles, to the retort C, into which it is poured by means of the mouthpiece, diierent forms of which are shown in Figs. 8, 9, and l0. By the use of the mouthpiece the filling of the retorts is eiected Without opening them or exposing their contents to the air, thereby enabling' me to maintain a uniform temperature in the retorts and make the distillation continuous for three or four days,

or until such time as it is judged necessary to clean the retort from impurities left behind by the distillation. This distillation is effected under a well-regulated and sustained heat of 20000 to 25000 Fahrenheit, called white heat, and without anyadmixture of coal whatever in the ret-ort, which, lying hat in the furnace D, is immediately connected with the bevel-pipe E, connecting in its turn with the condenser F, as shown in Fig. 4. The condenser and recipient F is about three feet long, ten inches in diameter, with walls about two inches in thickness. It is incased in an iron jacket to protect it and preserve a uniform temperature. The preservation ofa uniform temperature somewhat above that of the surrounding atmosphere is necessary to prevent solidiiication ofthe metal in the condensers and to prevent the condensers from the cracking, which would necessarily result were the inner and outer surfaces subjected to a wide difference of temperature. This uniformity of temperatu re is secured by means of the iron jacket. The condenser, lying on a slight inclination, allows the fluid to be drawn from it every two or three hours, when the metal is cast into slabs or ingots ready for market.

Claims.

I claim: as my invention- 1. The process of utilizing the dross proceeding from the galvanizing of iron by means of the smelting-furnace A, mouth-piece M, retort C, retort-furnace D, bevel-pipe E, and condenser F, substantially as described in the specification.

2. The mouth-piece M, as described and for the purpose specified.

3. The condenser F.

4. The form of the pipe E used to connect the retort with the condenser, being beveled, as hereinbefore set forth.

5. The iron jacket Gr with which the condenser is surrounded.

Witnesses: LONGE DEMETZ.

WM. S. DAVENPORT, E. C. HINMAN. 

